As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of Preservation Parks, we are sharing brief histories of how each park came together. Look for a different park each month and then be sure to enjoy a special staff-led hike or program in that park.
Deer Haven Park
In 2006, Phyllis A. Havener gifted a generous donation of 190 acres to Liberty Township and Preservation Parks. Liberty Township received 93 of these acres for the development of Havener Park, while the adjoining 97 acres were given to Preservation Parks. At this time, John W. Bader, Jr. gave a donation to construct a bird sanctuary on the new property in honor of his late wife, Amy Clark Bader.
In 2007, construction of an entrance drive into the future park began. This drive was completed a year later, with hiking trails and a gravel parking lot following soon after. With the addition of parking and amenities, Deer Haven Park was officially opened to the public in 2008. It was also in 2008 that construction began on the Deer Haven Visitor Center, a building that would soon become a beloved bird-watching location for the avid birders and nature lovers of Delaware County. Funding for the construction of the Visitor Center classroom was made possible by a generous donation from Honda of America. An additional donation from PPG Industries helped fund the construction of the remaining Visitor Center.
2009 marked a significant time in Deer Haven’s history. The original gravel entrance drive and parking lot were paved using funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation. A wetland sanitary system was also installed, providing a clean, environmentally friendly method for sewage treatment. Construction of the Visitor Center was completed at this time, with additional improvements following soon after. The construction of a boardwalk and installation of a bird feeding system are included among these additions.
The following years marked steady improvements to the park property. In 2012, a connector trail was constructed at the creek crossing point, allowing a shortcut for avid hikers. On the north side of this connector, a stone memorial was erected in honor of the Havener family, whose generous donation positively impacted Delaware County. Four years later, in 2016, construction was completed on a natural play area and additional wetlands, providing further enjoyment for park visitors. Two years later, a wildlife blind was constructed on the southwest side of the park, allowing visitors to comfortably view the turtles, waterfowl, and other animals that call the adjacent pond home.
In 2020, a partnership between Preservation Parks and Ohio Nature Education (ONE) was established, culminating in the construction of an aviary. This aviary consists of three separate enclosures that are used to house and display several ONE ambassador birds, including various species of falcons, hawks, owls, and vultures. These raptors are maintained by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers who ensure that each bird is given the care they need daily.
Recent additions to Deer Haven Park include wetland construction along the Meadow Trail in 2021, as well as the purchase of 25 acres on the south side of the park from Amy Spencer in 2022 and 48 acres from Harvey DeWitt and Barbara Jean Hearing in 2023. Future plans include the construction of a one-mile primitive trail on the south side of the park to be completed in 2024. A future trail system will connect what is being called Deer Haven North to Havener Park.
Before & After
